Deadly earthquake hits Guatemala

7.4 magnitude earthquake kills at least 3

CHAMPERICO, Guatemala |
November 7, 2012

At least three people were killed Wednesday when a magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Guatemala.

The deadly temblor occurred during the morning in the Pacific Ocean, 28 miles southwest of the town of Champerico and 100 miles west-southwest of the capital, Guatemala City, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

Three people were found dead under rubble in the city of San Pedro Sacatepequez, near the country's border with Mexico, where at least 40 houses were destroyed by the earthquake, the Los Angeles Times said the Mexican newspaper Milenio reported.

Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina declared a "national red alert," suspending public activities and recommending the evacuation of buildings, the Times reported.

A minor tsunami in the Pacific Ocean was also reported by the United Nations agency UNESCO, but there had been no reports of excessive wave activity or damage in other areas.